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Key Points

A controversial incident in Kashmir's Kulgam district has erupted into a political firestorm after 23-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray drowned while allegedly escaping from security forces. The event, captured on video, shows Magray jumping into the Veshaw River after being picked up for questioning about providing logistics to terrorists. Political leaders like Mehbooba Mufti and Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi have raised serious concerns about the circumstances of his death. The security forces maintain that Magray jumped voluntarily and they are not responsible for his drowning.

Key Points: Kulgam Man Imtiyaz Magray's Fatal River Escape Sparks Controversy

  • Imtiyaz Magray accused of providing support to terrorists
  • Video shows sudden river jump during security operation
  • NC and PDP leaders demand investigation into incident
3 min read

Kulgam man jumps into river, drowns; video surfaces as NC, PDP leaders cry foul

Kashmir youth Imtiyaz Magray drowns after alleged security forces encounter, triggering political accusations and debate about counter-terrorism tactics

"Kashmiris cannot be treated as collateral damage - Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, NC MP"

Srinagar, May 5

Amid allegations that his body was found in a river after he was picked up by the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, official sources said on Monday that 23-year old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray had jumped into the river after he was taken to identify the terrorist hideout.

Police sources said that Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, 23, had given food and shelter to terrorists in Kulgam district, and he drowned after he jumped into a river while escaping from the security forces.

Sources said that a video taken from high ground shows the man, Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, suddenly jumping into the rocky river after scanning the forested area briefly.

Magray was picked up by the police on Saturday. Police sources said that during questioning, he told police that he gave food and logistics support to terrorists hiding in the forest in Kulgam's Tangmarg.

"The accused agreed to lead the security forces to the terrorists' hideout. On Sunday morning, while leading a joint team of the police and the Army to raid the hideout, Magray, in a bid to flee, jumped into the Veshaw River.

"The moment of his escape was also captured on camera. There was no one near him when he decided to bolt. The video showed the man trying to swim, but the strong current carried him away, and he drowned. The entire sequence of events was captured on camera.

"The security forces have condemned those who are spreading misinformation about the incident. The security forces should not be wrongly blamed for the man's unfortunate death," sources said.

Earlier on Sunday, National Conference (NC) MP, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, had demanded a probe into the death of the youth, alleging that 'Kashmiris cannot be treated as collateral damage after the Pahalgam terrorist attack'.

The MP also 'warned against treating Kashmiris as collateral damage and counter terrorism measures getting reflected as collective punishment in the aftermath of last month's Pahalgam terror attack'.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, alleged a conspiracy in the death of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray.

"Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam, raising serious allegations of foul play. Local residents allege that Imtiyaz Magray was picked up by the Army two days ago, and now mysteriously his body has surfaced in the river", she said on X.

This was, however, not the first time a local resident was caught providing food and logistics to terrorists with cross-border linkages.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments in the requested format:
R
Rahul K.
Very tragic incident but we must trust our security forces. The video evidence clearly shows he jumped voluntarily. Supporting terrorists is a serious crime - why would anyone take such risks? Kashmir's youth should focus on education and jobs, not militancy.
P
Priya M.
Heartbreaking to see young lives lost like this 😔 Whether he was guilty or not, the family deserves a proper investigation. Politicians shouldn't jump to conclusions from either side - let the facts speak through proper channels.
A
Amit S.
Security forces are doing their duty in extremely difficult conditions. When will Kashmiri leaders stop defending those who help terrorists? This only encourages more youth to take wrong path. Development is the only solution for J&K.
S
Sunita R.
The video evidence seems clear but I wish our media would report such sensitive matters more responsibly. Both sides - security forces and local politicians - need to be more careful with their statements. This is about a human life, not scoring political points.
V
Vikram J.
Why are we always quick to blame our armed forces? They risk their lives daily to protect us. If the man was innocent, why did he run? The real tragedy is how terrorist networks exploit poor Kashmiri youth. We need better de-radicalization programs.
N
Neha T.
As an Indian, I want both justice AND security. The government should conduct a transparent inquiry to clear all doubts. At the same time, Kashmir's politicians must stop making every incident into India vs Kashmir narrative. We're all in this together 🙏

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